Mutual respect and integrity in Scout Troop 794

As a 15-year-old Boy Scout, I would like to add my perspective to the recent discussions of the Boy Scouts of America.

In my 10 years with the Boy Scouts, I have been associated with a large number of scout leaders who have taught me valuable leadership skills, the value of citizenship and service to my church and community, a love of the outdoors and responsibility to myself, my fellow scouts and the members of my community. When my father died three years ago, my scout leaders took me under their wing, mentored me and helped me successfully work my way through a very difficult time by being outstanding role models.

I do not condone the actions of past scout leaders being discussed in the media today. I do, however, respect the way scouting has responded to this situation by implementing new rules and regulations, like two-deep leadership, that serves to protect both the individual scout and scout leaders.

My entire time with the Boy Scouts of America has been a positive, quality experience for me. I have never felt threatened in the scout environment. I have a strong relationship with my adult scout leadership built on mutual respect and integrity. Scout Troop 794 provides me a sense of belonging, family and community at all of our scout meetings and outings.

Greg Shettler, Centennial

This letter was published in the Oct. 25 edition.

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Greg, I too, was a Scout and concur with everything you wrote. I had great men who also mentored me and my brother and took us camping many times a year. This controversy has hurt Scouting, but not destroyed it. Scouting will survive if they stick to the two deep leadership policy. Thank you for writing a brave letter.

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